Which Counselling Approach is Best?

It is very easy to encompass counselling & psychotherapy as one thing - "a talk therapy". However, there are several different approaches. Researching various forms of therapy can easily become overwhelming, whether you're feeling a need for support or are concerned about a loved one. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but depending on your requirements and objectives, a particular therapy approach might be more appropriate for you.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that helps you acknowledge your relationship with your thoughts and feelings. You learn to understand your feelings instead of changing them.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy where a therapist helps you to change how you think and act.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy. It's based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). But it's specially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy is an umbrella term for a range of therapeutic approaches that all share a focus on self-development, personal growth, and responsibility. Approaches include:

💡Existential
💡Gestalt
💡Person-centred
💡Transactional Analysis

Integrative Therapy

Integrative counselling and psychotherapy is a collaborative and relational approach that blends different therapeutic theories and techniques to create a unique, client-centred experience.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy explores how unconscious thoughts, past experiences, and early life relationships influence present-day emotional distress and behaviour.

The Bottom Line

There are many types of therapy, and the best one for you will depend on your goals and particular situation. It is important to state that if you are looking for a specific type of therapy to check the type the therapist is qualified in, e.g not all therapists offer CBT, couples or young persons therapy, and even if a therapist is trained integratively, each therapist will integrate different theories/modalities.

While it’s wise to look for a therapy that makes sense for the mental health condition or situation, a further consideration is the therapeutic alliance. Which refers to your ability to trust in your therapist and their ability to help you, is even more crucial for your success in therapy than the type of therapy they offer AND also something that needs to be researched, tips on how to find a therapist (here)